Nottingham 05/11/10 - reviews and discussion

[zee]

Lets review and discuss last nights pretty amazing gig here!


_{The thread will be unlocked after the show. x}

[zvezda]

Each LAR gig has been different, with its own special flavour and memories. Barfly will always hold a special place in my heart, being the first time we’d seen them play. Leeds was memorable for its intimacy. Nottingham will be remembered as the best birthday celebration I’ve ever had, so apologies in advance if this review is somewhat self-indulgent.

Some of the Heaven & Hell team met up before the gig at the Pit & Pendulum for a meal and some drinks. I didn’t realise that it was also a birthday do for me! Over delicious cocktails I was given LARvely cards and presents, including a drumhead signed by the band (organised by the wonderful poetress – thanks babes). After a hurried trip to the Spar and then back to the hotel to deposit all the goodies, Jenny Davies and I arrived at the venue at about 8.30 – only just catching the last song by Inner City Pirates. LAR were due on at 9pm, which was early compared to previous gigs, and was due to the venue having to turn into a club/disco afterwards. I was glad we hadn’t lingered too long over pudding (chocolate birthday cake!) as we just about managed to secure a spot at the barrier.

I was in front of Hove, along with Amy F and Jenny D – I kept up the tradition started by Tim and yelled ‘we love you Hove!’, which elicited a cheeky thank-you in response The setlist was the same as for the other gigs – which reminds me, I didn’t include it in my other reviews, so here goes:

Blood & Earth
Alone
Heaven & Hell
Running
Away
Come On Say It
Got to Give It Up
Truth
So Sad
Home

Again, the crowd could have been bigger, but the atmosphere was still great nonetheless and the band gave it their all, as usual. Steve encouraged those who were sitting around the edges to come and join us in front of the stage, and happily many of them did. And Sam and Pete got us all dancing, especially to ‘Home’, which was good fun. Once again I found myself thinking wow – this band really rocks – and I know that those who were there will tell all their mates about the awesome band that they must see next time round. One of Pete’s mates had come along, expecting to see Steve behind the drumkit, and was blown away: ‘They’re much better than the venue’, he said.

I’d been given a little bear wearing a LAR t-shirt for my birthday (thanks, Ana dear!), whom we’d named Stevie Bear, and I’d brought him along to the gig. Pete sneaked onto the stage during the set and placed Stevie Bear on the amp, so he had his moment of glory! He now sports autographs from Steve and Donneye Steve wished me a happy birthday, and both Hove and Laurie played a few bars of Happy Birthday on guitar and keyboards <3 One other thing that made me laugh was Pete yelling out his observation that Teresa had got the biggest cheer for the third night running – praise that is very well-deserved in my opinion! I was chuffed to get a birthday hug from her afterwards <3

It was another amazing gig, full of spark and energy and quality musicianship. Sadly there was no encore this time, so we didn’t get to hear Bring Me Down, because they had to finish in order for the club night to begin, grr. My sadness at this was remedied by H&H’s own little after-party in my hotel room, which went on until dawn, with LAR’s tour cds playing in the background. I will never forget drinking wine and eating Pot Noodles at 6am - the perfect way to end my time with LAR on their UK tour.

Thank you LAR and H&H. Good luck for your remaining gigs, and here's to increasing success. You rock <3

Now for a few photos. I mentioned my epic camera fail in another review, so forgive the poor quality of these pics



Hooooove!!!



And Stevie Bear!